Walter Joseph McReady

Walter Joseph McReady, 73, of Lake Ariel, formerly of Commack, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly at his in Lake Ariel home on March 16, 2013.

Born on July 21, 1939, he was a son of the late Walter P. and Johanna (Fischer) McReady. He grew up on Guernsey Street in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Walter was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he proudly served his country in Operation Desert Storm. He retired from the New York City Police Department, protecting the public, at the 109 Precinct in Flushing, N.Y. He was employed by New York Telephone Co. for many years before becoming a confidential investigator for the Long Island Developmental Center. He ended his working career as security for Elwood Middle School, where he loved interacting with the students and faculty.

Walter did not ease into retirement. He enjoyed working with wood, and shared his numerous creations with his friends and family. He recently started volunteering with the Make a Wish Foundation and would travel with his family at every opportunity.

He will always and forever be remembered for his love of Ireland, kindness, thoughtfulness and selflessness, but mostly for his sense of humor and his undying love of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children: his daughters, Mary Jon Olney-Zoeller and her husband, Peter, of Melbourne, Fla., and JoAnn Ramsdale and her husband, Chris, of East Stroudsburg; and his son, Walter P. and his wife, Barb, of Sharpsburg, Ga.; and his grandchildren: Kevin, Christopher, Kelly, Patrick, Walter J., Kathleen, PJ, Heather and his great-grandson, Joseph: his sister, Patricia; his brother, Edward; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and second cousins. He also leaves behind a large circle of loving and caring friends, who he also considered family.

There will be a viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, at William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main St., Stroudsburg.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, March 22, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 300 St. Mary Church Road, Lake Ariel (village of Ledgedale), with the Rev. Michael Finn as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to any of the following organizations that were close to Walter's heart: Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Heart Association; or NYPD Emerald Society.